The genus Verbena, commonly known as vervain, encompasses a diverse group of flowering plants native to the Americas and Europe, offering both annual and perennial options. These plants are highly recognized for attracting various flying insects, including a wide array of bee species. This strong attraction makes Verbena a valued addition to habitats focused on supporting local pollinator populations. Understanding the specific floral characteristics and species variations helps in selecting the most beneficial plants for the garden.
The Specific Attractants in Verbena Flowers
Bees are drawn to Verbena flowers due to their physical structure and nutritional rewards. The individual flowers are small, typically five-petaled and tubular, but they are densely clustered into dome-shaped or spire-like inflorescences. This clustering creates a large, stable “landing pad” that offers multiple nectar sources in a single stop, maximizing foraging efficiency for visiting bees.
The color of many Verbena varieties also attracts bees, which are sensitive to ultraviolet, blue, and green wavelengths. They are particularly attracted to purple and blue flowers. Since many Verbena species display these purplish-blue hues, they stand out distinctly against green foliage, guiding bees directly to the easily accessible nectar and pollen rewards.
Distinguishing the Most Bee-Friendly Verbena Species
Not all Verbena plants offer the same support to bees, as the genus includes both beneficial native species and ornamental hybrids. The most effective options for attracting pollinators are less-cultivated species, such as Verbena bonariensis (Purpletop Vervain) and Verbena hastata (Blue Vervain). V. bonariensis is an exceptional magnet for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, providing a steady food source late into the fall.
V. hastata is highly regarded for its nectar-rich flowers. Both species feature simple, open flowers that allow easy access to floral rewards. This contrasts with many modern hybrids (Verbena x hybrida). These heavily hybridized bedding plants often have denser flower heads or are bred for exaggerated size at the expense of nectar and pollen production, making them less valuable to foraging bees. Gardeners should prioritize native and simple-flowered species over dense cultivars for maximum pollinator benefit.
Optimizing Verbena Placement for Pollinator Gardens
Strategic placement and cultivation practices increase bee visits to Verbena plants. Since pollinating insects must be warm to be active and fly efficiently, planting Verbena in a location that receives full sun exposure is important. Full sun, defined as six or more hours of direct sunlight daily, ensures the flowers perform optimally and helps bees warm up quickly to maximize foraging time.
Planting Verbena in large masses or drifts, rather than as single, isolated specimens, is another effective strategy. This density creates a visually dominant target easily spotted by foraging bees from a distance, signaling a reliable food source. Ensuring the plants are not over-watered and are grown in well-drained soil encourages the continuous bloom that makes Verbena a valuable food source from summer until the first hard frost.